Animal-trap.



No. 895,017. PATENTED AUG. 4, 190a. 1 1 W. G. HOOKER.-

r ANIMAL TRAP. APPLICATION FILED HOV. 30, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lu/J 2 we is I: it??? UN/ITED STATES PATENT onnronf v wnlinur CHAUNCEY HOOKER, or ABIAGDON, ILLINOIS.

ANIMAL-TRAP. A

i To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM CHAUNCEY HOOKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Abin don, in the county of Knox and State of ll'mois, have invented a new and useful Animal-Trap, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention has relation to a trap which is efiicient when used as a trap for oatchingjrats or other animals which. in-

fest houses, barns and other buildings, or when employed to catch gophers or like animals which burrow in or tunnel the ground. A main object of the invention is to provide a device f the character described which will be sprung by an animal of the first recited class tter'npting to get the, bait or lure from off the tripping lever, which he will do by tugging ahor pulling on said lever to draw its depending member toward the open or forward end of the trap; and will be as readily sprung by an animal of the sec ond recited class striking the lever with a small portion of compacted earth which he pushes forward in advance of himself as he attempts to leave his tunnel, the direction of movement of said lever being then contrary to that last described.

Another leading object of the invention is to rovide means which constitutes a part of t e trap recited but which may be incorporated in other types of like devices, which means forms a lock or safety-set, whereby, when the trap is set and certain parts thereof in relative positions which will be hereinafter related, it will be imPOSSibIG to accidentally spring or release the parts from their engagement, all danger to the handler or operator being thus eliminated- By, this means a subsidiary improvement has been evolved, it resting in the fact that when the operative parts have been locked as above noted, two traps of like size may be safely packed for shipment, storage, or display, in a lesser space than was formerly required for one.

A further object is to provide a novel means for, and method of mounting and assembling the several parts of the trap.

A still further object is to provide a con struction in which either wood or metal, or both, may be used for the base or frame.

A still further object is to provide a novel tripping lever which while performing its usual function will further retain the bait 55. or lure in place without penetrating it.

Specification of Letters Patent. Appiication filed November 30, 19 07. Serial No. 404,483.

' tures 3 and projects through the coils 13 of Patented. Aug. 4, 1968.

Other objects of the invention consist in novel structural features and combinations of devices, the operation of which devices 4 separately and in combination will be found hereinafter described and setforth in the I claimshereto appended.

Mechanism showing the structural features, arrangement, connection and mutual relationship of the several parts of my imrovement is illustrated in the accompany- 5 -mg drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation in the line 11 in Fig. 5, the parts being shown in locked position; Fig. 2, a similar view, the

arts shown as in released or sprung position;

ig. 3, a rear elevation, partly broken away, the parts in set position; Fig. 4, a front ole vation, the parts in locked engagement; Fig. 5, a plan, the parts shown in locked engagement by full lines, and in set position by dot lines; and Figs. 6 and 7, detail pets ectives showingrespectively the locked an set positions of the engaging devices.

Attention being directed to said drawings and to the numerals of reference thereon, the 30 same one indicating the same part in each of the several figures thereof, 1 indicates a frame, which, as shown, is constructed of sheet metal and comprises supporting sides 2, each of which is provided with apertures 3 and 4, and a base or top 5 provided with slots 6 for the reception and as age of the arms of the jaw, a longitudina y disposed slot 7 for the extended or pendulous end of the actuating spring, a slot 8 through which the rising end of the tripping lever is directed, and an opening 9 at its median front portion for the latch or locking bar. A block of wood 10 is set into the rear portion of the frame and serves to strengthen and give form to the 95 metallic parts, as well as to constitute a means against which the fixed or stationary end of the spring takes.

A rod 11 is seated in the registering aperthe actuatin s ring, one (the stationary) end, 26 of whicl takes against and is held from movement by the end 10, its forward end being projected through the slot 7 and bent into a triangular hook 14 with which the eyed ends 15 of a substantially U-sha-ped. jaw 27 are engaged.

Seated in the registering orifices 4 is a rod or shaft 16 on udlich is loosely hung the coiled midlength portion 17 of the trigger or 11 operation. Although the term loc ed has heretofore been frequently employed in specifications to indicate the set or operative position of a trap, I wish to hereinclearly differentiate the terms locked and set. The looped end of a latch or looking bar 24. is hinged on the cross-piece 25 at the front of the top, its main portion extended rearwardly and its end 29 slightly flattened and bent at a right angle to the main portion for a purpose presently described.

The parts being in the relative positions shown at Fig. 2, or released, and it being dcsired to engage them in set position or position for operation, the o erator will de ress the triangular end 14 of the spring and thereby the jaw and bring the latch rearwardly over the transveise bar of said triangle. This movement will be continued until the transverse end 29 of the latch is sufficiently depressed to pass beneath the point 22 of the hook at the upper end of the tripping-lever,

whereupon said point is brought over into the position shown best at Figs. 3 and 7, in which position it rests lightly on the flattened portion of said latch, sufliciently, however, to hold the parts in that position until an animal, as a gopher, contacts the tri ping member 18 and forces it rearwardly as s town at the dot line position X, Fig. 2, or until a rat attempts to escape with the bait (not shown) which is held between the members of the tripping lever which constitute the bait holder 23, and pulls said member to the dot line position indicated by Y, same figure, thus releasing said parts 22 and 29 from their engagement. The coil spring will then act and by reason of its engagement with the jaw will throw the latter upwardly and trap the animal in an evident manner. The force exerted by the s ring is generally sufficientto'cause the deat 1 of the animal, but in the event of this not occurring, he will be sustained above the ground and unable to escape. It will be evident. that the trap is to be baited only when set for rats or the like. 'hen set for gophers a small portion of the dirt is removed from the outlet to his tunnel,-

- and the front end of the trap is so placed therein that the tunnel opening will be directly in line with the open end of the trap. The latter is preferably covered with loose soil to exclude the light, it being evident-that it will in no wise interfere with the operation of the trap.

'hen it is desired to lock the trap in'position for storage, shipment or display, or to prevent injury to careless persons or children, the hook '21 is passed to stride the longitudinal portion of the latch as shown best at Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6. possible to accidentally spring the trap, because the sprin forces the latch a ainst the hook, and the latter is reventetl slipping In this position it will be imlongitudinally therefrom y the bent end 29 thereof.

I have hereinbefore stated that when packed for shipment etc. two traps constructed as above would occupy less space than one of any similar construction and size heretofore known. It will be evident that it has been and is unsafeto ship traps set in position for o eration. They were therefore shipped in t 1e loose position shown at Fig. 2. In packing my improved trap for shipment I.

place them rear end to front end, their open bottoms telescoping within each other and the locking members engaged, in which positions they will occupy a space less than that occupied by an unset trap of prior construc tion.

The principal figures of the drawings show and are made to the sames'cale and measurement of a full sized trap.

Having thus described my invention and set forth its objects, purposes and advantages, I claim as new and desire to secure by- Letters Patent the following, namely:

1. The combination with means on which they are mounted, of a spring actuated aw, a trip ing lever includin an inverter U- SlIRPQt engagin end, an a longitudinally disposed hingedTatch having its free end bent substantially at a right angle to its main portion.

2. In a trap, in combination, a spring actuated jaw, a longitudinally disposed hinged latch, its free end bent at a ri ht angle to its main portion, and a tripping lever including an arciform upper end, the extremity thereof adapted to en age the aforesaid bent end portion of the latch to hold the trap in set position, and the arciform portion adapted to straddle the main portion of the latch to hold it locked.

In a trap, in combination, a spring, a jaw actuated thereby, a longitudinally disposed hinged latch, its end bent at a right angle-to its main portion, and a tripping lever indlnding a hooked upper end, the extremity thereof adapted to engage the aforesaid bent end portion of the latch to set the trap, and the bow of the hook to straddle the main portion of the latch to lock it. 4

4. In a trap, in combination, a. spring actuated jaw, a hinged latch adapted to restrain it, the free end of the latch being substanr E s a trippin lever having an inverted U-shaped upper end adapted for selective engagements with the latch.

; In a trap, a spring actuated jaw, a latch 5 adapted to restrainit, and a tripping lever having-an inverted U-shaped en ada ted for engagement therewith, the latch inc uding means whereby either locking or setting engagement may be effected.

6. In a trap, a base, a spring actuated jaw, a hinged latch adapted to extend lon itudinallv of the base, its rear end bent su stantiall y at aright angle to its main portion, and a pivoted tripping lever, its upper portion bent over into'inverted U-sha e, ,whereby selective engagements with the atch may be efiected.

7. In a trap, a base, a spring actuated jaw, a hinged latch adapted to extend lon itudinally of the base, its rear end bent substantially at a right angle to its main portion, and

a 'trippin lever pivoted to the base and extending t ere-through, its upper portion bent over and its point adapted to rest on the A transverse portion of the locking bar.

8. In a trap, a spring actuated jaw, a hinged latch adapted to extend lon itudinally of the base, its rear end bent su stantially at a right angle to its main portion, and

a pivoted tripping lever, its up er end bent into a hook adapted to rest on t e main portion of the latch in one position, and its point ada ted to rest on the transverse member of the atch in another position.

9. In a trap, an apertured base having depending sides, a rod fixed transversely thereof, a spring mounted thereon beneath said base, one of its ends rejected through a slot therein, a U- shaped jaw, its limbs passed through apertures in the base and engaged with said projected end of the spring, and means whereby the trap may be old in set position. I

10 In a trap, an apertured base having depending sides, a rod fixed transversely thereof, a spring mounted thereon beneath said base, one of its ends projected through a slot in the base, a U-shaped jaw, its limbs passed through apertures in the base and engaged with said rojected ends of the spring, a latch whereby t to trap may be held in set position, and means adapted to be engaged with said latch and to be tri ped by an animal.

11. A trap inc uding an apertured base and de ending sides, a rod fixed transversely there'o a spring mounted thereon, one of its ends projected t ough one of said apertures,

a U-shaped jaw, its limbs passed through other apertures in the base and engaged with said end of the spring, 'a ivotally mounted tripping lever, and a latch hinged to the base and adapted for engagement with the tripping lever.

12. The combination with means on which they are mounted, of a spring actuated jaw,

a longitudinally disposed hinged latch adapted to restrain and release it, the free end thereof bent substantially at a right angle to its main portion, and a tripping lever having an inverted U-sha ed end adapted for engagement with the atch, whereby in one position the jaw will be held in set engagement and in another position it will be locked.

13. In a trap, an apertured base having depending sides, a rod fixed transversel thereof, a spring mounted thereon beneat the base, one of its ends projected through a slot therein, and a U-shaped jaw, its arms passed through apertures in the base and en gaged ith said pr acted end of the spring.

'14. A trap comprising an a 'ertured base and de ending sides, a rod fixe transversely thereo beneath the base acoil spring mounted thereon, one or its ends projected through an aperture in the base, a U-shaped jaw, its limbs passed through other apertures in the base and engaged with said end of the spring, a second rod fixed similarly to the first recited one, a tripping lever mounted thereon, and a latch to the base and its free end adapted for engagement with the tripping lever.

15. A trap including a hinged latch hav- I ing its free end bent at an angle to its main portion, and a pivoted tripping lever having the extremity of its engaging end reversed, said lever adapted for selective engagements with the latch.

16. A tra including a hinged latch having its free end ent at an angle to its main portion, and a pivoted tripping lever havin an n inverted-U-shaped engaging end adapte for selective engagements therewith.

17. In a trap, in combination, a spring actuat-ed jaw, a hinged latch having its free and bent at an angle to its main portion, and a tripping lever having its engaging end reversed and adapted for selective engagements with the latch.

18. In a tra a base, a jaw, and a coil spring, the co' being located beneath the base, one of its ends projected therethrough,

engaged with and adapted to actuate said jaw.

19. A tra including a base, a spring actuated jaw, a inged latch having its free end bent at an angle to its main portion, and a tripping lever having a portion bent back wardly and adapted to rest entirely over said main ort-ion oi the latch, whereby the parts are he d in locked position.

In witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto affixed my signature at Galesburg, Knox county, Ilhnois, this 22" day of November, 1907.

WILIJAM CllaUNCEY HOOKER. 

